Single Partner Research Articles

Analysing temperature protocol deviations in pome fruit export cold chains: A Western Cape case

Background: A major concern plaguing South African pome fruit exporters is the volume of fruit going to waste during the export process. The senescence of fruits and the deterioration in its quality are accelerated by an increase in temperature. Thus, the first step in ultimately extending the shelf life of exported pome fruit and decreasing the risk of rejections is to ensure constant temperature control.Objectives: The study investigated the severity of temperature protocol deviations within the apple and pear export cold chains from the Western Cape, South Africa to the Netherlands. The study was undertaken in 2018 for Company X, an international fruit exporting firm, to improve the efficiency of its cold chains.Method: The research conducted temperature trials starting as close to the farm as possible and concluding as close to the end consumer as possible. Pulp and ambient temperature probes were inserted into and around the fruit to monitor export temperature profiles.Results: Firstly, the trial results show that non-compliance with temperature protocols occurred more often along the pome fruit export cold chain than initially anticipated. Secondly, the position within the pallet where the temperature breaks occurred highlighted an issue of heat retention resulting from unintentional oversights early in the cold chain. The study also identified areas of possible improvements where management could mitigate senescence factors.Conclusion: The study concluded that the efficient and effective functioning of a cold chain depends on cumulative efforts by all the supply chain partners rather than on the efforts of a single partner.

Sexual and Gender Minority Persons’ Perception of the Female Sexual Function Index

BackgroundPatient-reported outcome instruments to assess sexual functioning typically assume that patients are heterosexual and have a single sexual partner, thus they may have limited applicability for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations as well as for nonpartnered individuals or those with multiple partners. AimTo explore the perceptions of SGM persons regarding the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a commonly used sexual functioning questionnaire. MethodsWe conducted 2 rounds of cognitive interviews with 27 SGM persons with and without a cancer diagnosis. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded the transcripts using inductive thematic analysis to identify major themes. OutcomesThemes identified via qualitative analysis. ResultsCognitive debriefing with the participants provided critical insights about the way we ask questions about sexual functioning in the oncology clinic. Three overarching themes arose from the data: (i) Certain aspects of the questionnaire were felt to unnecessarily medicalize sexuality; (ii) FSFI domains were perceived to represent a narrow and heteronormative experience of sexuality focused on penile-vaginal intercourse; (iii) Questionnaire domains emphasizing sexual “performance” were perceived as male-oriented. Clinical implicationsQuestionnaires such as the FSFI that were developed in research studies with specific eligibility criteria need to be adapted to the broader population seen in clinical practice. Strengths & LimitationsStrengths of the study include purposive sampling of SGM persons through LGBTQ networks. Our sample included individuals of different sexual orientations, gender identities, marital status, and cancer histories. However, a limitation is that the the majority of the sample was white and college-educated. Other limitations of the study include the potential sampling bias of self-selected participants with a particular interest in the study questions. ConclusionThe findings provide important evidence for the development of a more inclusive sexual function measure, moving away from the traditional heteronormative, cisnormative approach to measuring sexual function.Austria MD, Lynch K, Le T, et al. Sexual and Gender Minority Persons’ Perception of the Female Sexual Function Index. J Sex Med 2021;18:2020–2027.

Sexual Risk Profiles Among Black Sexual Minority Men: Implications for Targeted PrEP Messaging.

Black gay, bisexual, and other Black sexual minority men (BSMM) continue to experience some of the largest sexual health disparities in the U.S. Engaging BSMM in PrEP is crucial to improving sexual health outcomes and reducing disparities. However, knowledge of the profiles of sexual risk and PrEP initiation among this group is limited.This study used latent class analysis to identify HIV risk and PrEP initiation patterns among BSMM in the HPTN 073 Study (n = 226). Guided by current Centers for Disease Control screening guidelines, latent class indicators included relationship status, condom use, number of sexual partners, substance use, sexually transmitted infection (STI) history, and partner HIV status. Age and PrEP initiation were used in a multinomial regression to identify correlates of class membership. Three latent classes were identified: Single, Condomless Partners, Single, Multiple Partners, and Serodiscordant Partners. Single, Condomless Partners had the highest conditional probabilities of having greater than three male partners, substance use before sex, and receiving an STI diagnosis. Serodiscordant Partners had a 100% conditional probability of condomless sex and having a male partner living with HIV. BSMM who initiated PrEP were less likely to be classified as Single, Condomless Partners than Serodiscordant Partners (AOR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.66). Findings support the need forculturally relevanttailored and targeted messaging for BSMM with multiple sexual risk indicators.

On the Nature of Reproductive Behaviour of Homo sapiens species: A Narrative Approach

Monogamy and polygamy are the two reproductive structures for Homo sapiens which have been evolving millenia now rendering and stagnating into social construction rather than underlying in H. sapiens evolved nature. Anatomically, modern H. sapiens emerged and behaved, use energy to fullfill a physiological need, based on the information in their DNA here referred as “code”-driven behaviour; other species conscioulessness also behave on the basis of their genomes and here also some arguments were presented. H. sapiens since the evolution of an innerself or consicousness sustains a physiology which rests upon DNA encription with the difference that behaviours are the result of the mental process of deciding here referred as “choice”-driven behaviour. In the matter of reproductive behaviour, H. sapiens can choose monogamy or polygamy unlike other non-concious species known to this planet. Being the evolved nature of our species that is polygamy, our genomes should be preserved as such for our offspring to have the right to decide, being this the final argument in the matter of single or multiple partners. To become an unfair society will lead towards extinction of H. sapiens, either our species will return to a widespread, accepted and law-regulated polygamy or become generationally extinct. The manuscript also presented evidence which supports a non-specific, male-centered female subordinating polygamy as the prevalent reproductive structure for unconcious species of copulating taxons including only anatomically modern H. sapiens.

Lack of agency and sexual behaviors among married women: a study of population-based HIV impact assessment (PHIA) surveys in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia

Background Educational campaigns to prevent HIV/AIDS have shown mixed success in Africa. We hypothesized that women’s lack of agency in decision-making and taking discernible actions reduces the beneficial impact of HIV-related knowledge. Methods We used data from Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) surveys in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. A subsample of surveys that were completed by married adult women were selected for the HIV knowledge module which included responses for household decision-making questions. We created a binary variable for agency (ability to participate in decision-making about household matters, health, and sex), and scalar variables for HIV-related knowledge and sexual behaviors. We used regression analysis using survey weights with the behaviors as dependent variables. Results We pooled survey results from 16,822 women (63% from Tanzania, 19% from Malawi and 18% from Zambia). Altogether, 13.5% of women (17% of those 15-24 years old) exhibited poor agency. Those with a higher degree of agency had higher education, were working, and were wealthier. Women lacking agency were significantly less likely to use condoms (4.7% vs. 6.2%, P=0.022). Approximately 95% reported having a single partner over past 12 months, while Zambian women with no agency showed significantly lower rate of 92% (odds ratio, OR=0.66, 95% confidence interval, CI=0.45-0.95, P=0.027). The rate of HIV testing across the three countries was 83%-92%. In Tanzania, presence of good knowledge and agency together increased the odds of HIV testing by 60% (interaction term). However, among those with good knowledge yet reporting poor agency, the likelihood of HIV testing decreased by 65%, nullifying knowledge impact. We did not observe similar associations in Malawi. Among women with poor knowledge, lack of agency reduced the odds of condom use by 50% compared to those with agency. Alternatively, for women who exhibited good knowledge without agency, the odds of condom use was more than double compared to women with some agency (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.07-4.27, P=0.032)). Conclusions We detected a moderating effect for agency on knowledge-driven behavior. Results on different behaviors and across individual countries are mixed and suggest caution to derive definitive conclusions. Despite limitations, these findings indicate that policies that increase women’s agency may help anti-HIV programs’ success.

Burden of HIV, Tuberculosis Infection and Risk Factors amongst Inmates of Correctional Institutions in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Aims: Burden of infectious diseases in correctional institutions constitutes a public health concern due to the confined nature and congestion of the prisons. This study aimed at surveying Burden of HIV, Tuberculosis Infection and Risk factors amongst inmates of Correctional Institutions in Port Harcourt Nigeria
 Study Design: The study was descriptive, comprising both males and females. A total of 178 inmates constituted the study population
 Place and Duration of Study: Port Harcourt Maximum Prisons, Creek Road and the Juvenile Remand Home, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between the months of May to December 2019.
 Methodology: Two millilitres of blood was collected from each participant after receiving their informed consent. The blood was dispensed into EDTA anti-coagulant bottles and used for serological investigations of HIV 1&2, and TB. Samples positive for TB was confirmed using the GeneXpert Molecular technique while HIV 1&2 were confirmed using Real-Time PCR and their Viral Loads determined.
 Results: The overall prevalence of HIV and MTB in the study population were: HIV 1 & 2 (3.9%) and Tuberculosis (0.6%) The Mean Viral Loads of positive samples were HIV 1&2 (479.3 copies/ml); and High MTB was detected. The most significant risk factors identified are as follows:, inmates with tattoos on their bodies (c2=83.6, p<0.0001), took part in blood initiation ceremonies (c2=110.1, p<0.0001), have exchanged needles/sharp objects (c2=2.2, p>0.0001), have tribal marks (c2=58.4, p<0.0001), received blood (c2=151.1, p<0.0001). Majority of the inmates have had sex before, 159(89.3%) [89(56.0%) had multiple sex partners up to 3 and above, 32(20.1%) had 2 partners while 38(23.9%) said they were single sex partners (c2=37.1, p<0.0001)]. On condom use, 90(50.6%) of the inmates do not use condom while 88(49.4%) admitted they use condoms. 7(3.9%) of the inmates have indulged in anal sex (c2=151.1, p<0.0001). 6(3.4%) had history of family drug use while 23(12.9%) have used drugs prior to imprisonment
 Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV among inmates in this study is quite high and remains a public health problem while that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) though appearing relatively low still remains a public health risk. The risk factors amongst inmates of Correctional Institutions in Port Harcourt Nigeria have been identified in this study. The high HIV 1 & 2 prevalence with MTB prevalence with high viral load results indicates poor health conditions which if not contained can spread to other inmates. This requires prompt interventions and treatment among the correctional inmates.

One Health Evaluation: A Case Study at the University of Bologna.

The level of One Health (OH), or “One Health-ness,” of health interventions has been defined as the capacity to operate according to six dimensions concerning OH operations and OH infrastructures, respectively (thinking, planning, and working; and information sharing, reciprocal learning, and systemic organization). Although health initiatives and research increasingly claim their orientation toward OH, such a capacity is rarely assessed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the One Health-ness of the academic team of the University of Bologna (UNIBO Team) working in the “ELEPHANT” project (Empowering universities' Learning and rEsearch caPacities in the one Health Approach for the maNagement of animals at the wildlife, livestock and human interface in SouTh Africa). This project involves universities, six from South Africa and two from Europe, and aims at embedding OH in research and learning to enable the control of diseases at the human, animal, and environmental interface, and to emphasize the interests of local African communities with wildlife conservation. The methodology adopts the NEOH method, developed in 2018 by the EU-COST Action, “Network for the Evaluation of One Health.” The approach is based on questionnaires delivered to participants, which focus on the six OH dimensions, and then translate answers into quantitative metrics through the OH Index (OHI) and the OH Ratio (OHR). The following two evaluation levels are foreseen: the whole project and the single partner institutions. The evaluations are carried on in parallel, with preliminary, mid-term, and final assessments, to monitor the efficacy of the project actions. The preliminary evaluation of the UNIBO Team resulted in the OHI of 0.23 and the OHR of 1.69 which indicate a low degree of OH-ness and an imbalance between OH operation and OH infrastructure. The UNIBO case study will be the baseline for the evaluation of the other partner institutions involved in the ELEPHANT project. This type of evaluation can support the implementation of OH practices inside a project and underpin the strategies that allow to achieving more effective results. Any improvement in the OH-ness of each single academic team can be also considered as a result of the ELEPHANT project, thus showing its multiplier effect in the context.

The Stream Exchange Protocol: A Secure and Lightweight Tool for Decentralized Connection Establishment.

With the growing availability and prevalence of internet-capable devices, the complexity of networks and associated connection management increases. Depending on the use case, different approaches in handling connectivity have emerged over the years, tackling diverse challenges in each distinct area. Exposing centralized web-services facilitates reachability; distributing information in a peer-to-peer fashion offers availability; and segregating virtual private sub-networks promotes confidentiality. A common challenge herein lies in connection establishment, particularly in discovering, and securely connecting to peers. However, unifying different aspects, including the usability, scalability, and security of this process in a single framework, remains a challenge. In this paper, we present the Stream Exchange Protocol (SEP) collection, which provides a set of building blocks for secure, lightweight, and decentralized connection establishment. These building blocks use unique identities that enable both the identification and authentication of single communication partners. By utilizing federated directories as decentralized databases, peers are able to reliably share authentic data, such as current network locations and available endpoints. Overall, this collection of building blocks is universally applicable, easy to use, and protected by state-of-the-art security mechanisms by design. We demonstrate the capabilities and versatility of the SEP collection by providing three tools that utilize our building blocks: a decentralized file sharing application, a point-to-point network tunnel using the SEP trust model, and an application that utilizes our decentralized discovery mechanism for authentic and asynchronous data distribution.

Children Exposed to IPV: Impact of Multiple Father Figures.

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) has been associated with adverse infant developmental outcomes; however, the influence of the number of father-figures (abusive vs non-abusive) has on young infants' risk for neurodevelopmental delays has not been examined. A secondary data analysis was conducted from the Domestic Violence Enhanced Perinatal Home Visits (DOVE) study of abused pregnant women (N = 239) and their infants' neurodevelopment from baseline through 12-months postpartum. Although all women reported decreased violence from baseline to 12months postpartum, there was a significant main effect between baseline IPV scores and infant risk for developmental delay at 12months (β = .19; p < .05) and a significant interaction between baseline IPV scores and multiple partner categories (β = .89; p < .01). Women in the single abusive partner category demonstrated a negative association between baseline IPV and 12-month infant risk scores (β = -.56; p < .01). Whereas women in the mixed and multiple abusive partner groups demonstrated a positive association between IPV and infant risk scores (β = .32; p < .05). This study provides evidence that an infant's neurodevelopment is impacted by exposure to violence in the home. Additional research is needed to examine the full impact, not only the effects of single and/or abusive partners on child development, but also the possible effect of multiple non-abusive partners on development.

Reproductive success diminished following mate loss for females but not males in a monogamous rodent

The strictly monogamous California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) forms life-long pair bonds and mates exclusively with a single partner. While studies in the wild indicate that individuals may re-pair with a new partner following mate loss, the preponderance of this behavior and subsequent reproductive outcomes following re-pairing are understudied. To examine reproductive outcomes following re-pairing and to look for sex-specific differences following mate loss, birth records of 584 California mouse pairs from our laboratory were analyzed. Of these pairs, 59 pairs were identified as re-pairs and used for further descriptive analysis. We found that 50/59 (84.7 %) of re-paired animals gave birth, indicating that reproduction with a new mate is not only possible, but perhaps more common than previously described for this species. Additionally, we found that when re-paired, females took significantly longer to birth a subsequent litter as compared to original breeding pairs. Overall findings from the current study provide evidence for sex differences in reproductive outcomes following repairing and for greater flexibility in mating strategy for a species described as strictly monogamous.

A Structural Study of G protein Selectivity in the Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Family

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins that act as sensory organs for the cell by binding to extracellular signals that activate the receptor for intracellular signal transduction. GPCRs primarily signal through G proteins, which are trimeric proteins named by the distinct signaling pathway they activate: Gαq, Gαi/o, Gαs, and Gα12/13. These receptors evolved to selectively activate one G protein type but can weakly couple to other G proteins. The mechanism of this selectivity remains unknown and increased understanding would allow for rational drug design targeting a single binding partner for a desired physiological effect and eliminating side effects. Our study investigates the structural determinants of G protein selectivity in GPCRs using the Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor family for biophysical modelling. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are important pharmacological targets because of their function in modulating signaling pathways implicated in diseases like Alzheimer's. This family contains five members (M1-M5) that are all activated by the same acetylcholine neurotransmitter. These receptors share high structure and sequence homology, however the M1, M3 and M5 receptors selectively bind to the Gαq/11 protein and the M2 and M4 receptors selectively bind to the Gαi/o protein. To investigate this selectivity, we modeled the M1 and M2 receptor bound to each G protein and performed all-atom molecular dynamics to relax the four complex systems for 2 µs. Representative snapshots of the four complexes were then used for structural comparison and binding free energy calculations. Thermodynamically, the M1 and M2 receptors showed a stronger affinity for their cognate binding partners, Gαq and Gαi respectively, this is consistent with experimental studies on the M3 receptor. Structurally, the M1 complexes displayed a larger variety in G protein orientation compared to the M2 complexes which can be explained by the larger G protein binding cavity, suggesting more dynamic and flexible binding. Additionally, we discovered a residue contact between transmembrane helices 5 and 6 that was only present in the cognate complexes (M1:Gαq and M2:Gαi) and similar strong interactions exclusive to each cognate complex. These contacts along with prominent residue interactions in the non-cognate complexes are optimal candidates for further mutation and kinetic studies. Overall, our data supports the previously proposed bar-code hypothesis for G protein selectivity, where a combination of contacts appear to be responsible for G protein binding selectivities.

Dysphagia and Epigastric Pain in an Adolescent Boy.

1. Senthil Velan Bhoopalan, MBBS, PhD* 2. Rabea Alhosh, MD† 1. *St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 2. †University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV A 17-year-old previously healthy boy presents with a history of epigastric abdominal pain associated with some difficulty in swallowing for the past 3 days. He denies any emesis but reports nausea. The abdominal pain is localized to the epigastric area without any radiation. Pain is reported at 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. He denies any diarrhea but had noticed a few episodes of black tarry stool for the past 2 days. His sexual history is significant for oral sex with a single female partner, but he denies any genital or oral lesions. He was seen by his pediatrician 2 days ago. His pediatrician suspected a gastric ulcer and prescribed him pantoprazole, which the patient never obtained. On presentation he has a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) and appears mildly dehydrated. His vital signs are otherwise within normal limits. On physical examination the patient has dry lips and mucosa, but no oral lesions are noted. Mild epigastric tenderness without any rigidity or rebound tenderness is noted. Examination findings are otherwise normal. Initial laboratory evaluation shows a white blood cell count of 12,900/μL (12.9×109/L), and the remainder of the blood cell count and metabolic panel are normal. The results of the antigen test for influenza, the heterophile antibody test for infectious mononucleosis, and the rapid streptococcal antigen test are negative. His CRP level is elevated to 12 mg/dL (120 mg/L). A computed tomographic scan …

Evaluating the efficiency of the synergistic effect in the business network

The article aimed to develop a methodology for monitoring the quality level of the synergistic effect of enterprises' economic activity in business network interaction on the example of mechanical engineering in Ukraine. Using the expert assessments of 386 senior and middle managers of 27 mechanical engineering enterprises of the Kharkiv region and the main components' method, the components of qualitative parameters of the synergetic effect of economic activity result from network interaction have been determined. An additive econometric model has been developed to calculate the integrated indicator of enterprises' economic activity's synergetic effect in terms of the business network of the studied enterprises. Using Fibonacci rules, the levels of qualitative component components and the integrated indicator of the synergy of economic activity in the context of a single network partner are determined.

Putting reproductive rights into practice. The profile of the demand in a publicly sponsored ART program for single or female partner women in Catalonia

Purpose To evaluate the size and characteristics of the demand for a newly established, publicly sponsored, program of assisted reproduction for single women (SW) and women with a female partner (FP) in a European country. Materials and methods We analysed the application forms received during the first two years and structured interviews with 300 successive non selected applicants Results The mean sustained size of the demand was of 52.6 applications per month (sd 14) and corresponded to 0.06 % of the target population. Data from 237 applicants was evaluable. 119 (50.2 %) were SW and 118 (49.8 %) were FP. The median age was 36 years, 36.5 years for SW and 34 years for FP (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney). Clinically 18.6 % of women presented irregular cycles, and 17.8 % of women had undergone hysterosalpingography (HSG), with a 14.3% prevalence of tubal dysfunction. Conclusions A publicly sponsored program for Assisted Reproduction for SWFP should establish clear inclusion criteria, especially as regards to age, ovarian reserve, techniques offered, and the number of cycles to obtain the maximal efficiency. Further research specific for this group is required to ensure that they receive adequate care and ultimately to fulfil their reproductive rights.

Exploratory polarization facilitates mating partner selection in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast decode pheromone gradients to locate mating partners, providing a model for chemotropism. How yeast polarize toward a single partner in crowded environments is unclear. Initially, cells often polarize in unproductive directions, but then they relocate the polarity site until two partners’ polarity sites align, whereupon the cells “commit” to each other by stabilizing polarity to promote fusion. Here we address the role of the early mobile polarity sites. We found that commitment by either partner failed if just one partner was defective in generating, orienting, or stabilizing its mobile polarity sites. Mobile polarity sites were enriched for pheromone receptors and G proteins, and we suggest that such sites engage in an exploratory search of the local pheromone landscape, stabilizing only when they detect elevated pheromone levels. Mobile polarity sites were also enriched for pheromone secretion factors, and simulations suggest that only focal secretion at polarity sites would produce high pheromone concentrations at the partner’s polarity site, triggering commitment.

Sequence-encoded and composition-dependent protein-RNA interactions control multiphasic condensate morphologies

Multivalent protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions are the drivers of biological phase separation. Biomolecular condensates typically contain a dense network of multiple proteins and RNAs, and their competing molecular interactions play key roles in regulating the condensate composition and structure. Employing a ternary system comprising of a prion-like polypeptide (PLP), arginine-rich polypeptide (RRP), and RNA, we show that competition between the PLP and RNA for a single shared partner, the RRP, leads to RNA-induced demixing of PLP-RRP condensates into stable coexisting phases—homotypic PLP condensates and heterotypic RRP-RNA condensates. The morphology of these biphasic condensates (non-engulfing/ partial engulfing/ complete engulfing) is determined by the RNA-to-RRP stoichiometry and the hierarchy of intermolecular interactions, providing a glimpse of the broad range of multiphasic patterns that are accessible to these condensates. Our findings provide a minimal set of physical rules that govern the composition and spatial organization of multicomponent and multiphasic biomolecular condensates.

Cervical screening attendance and cervical cancer risk among women who have sex with women.

ObjectivesTo describe cervical cancer screening participation among women who have sex exclusively with women (WSEW) and women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) compared with women who have sex exclusively with men (WSEM), and women who have never had sex and compare this with bowel (colorectal) and breast screening participation. To explore whether there is evidence of differential stage 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3) or cervical cancer risk.MethodsWe describe cervical, bowel and breast cancer screening uptake in age groups eligible for the national screening programmes, prevalent CIN3 and cervical cancer at baseline, and incident CIN3 and cervical cancer at five years follow-up, among 218,674 women in UK Biobank, a cohort of healthy volunteers from the UK.ResultsCompared with WSEM, in adjusted analysis [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)], WSEW 0.10 (0.08–0.13), WSWM 0.73 (0.58–0.91), and women who have never had sex 0.02 (0.01–0.02) were less likely to report ever having attended cervical screening. There were no differences when considering bowel cancer screening uptake (p = 0.61). For breast cancer screening, attendance was lower among WSWM 0.79 (0.68 to 0.91) and women who have never had sex 0.47 (0.29–0.58), compared with WSEM. There were incident and prevalent cases of both CIN3 and cervical cancer among WSEW and WSWM. Compared with WSEM with a single male partner, among WSEW there was a twofold increase in CIN3 1.91 (1.01 to 3.59); among WSWM with only one male partner, this was 2.25 (1.19 to 4.24).ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of improving uptake of cervical screening among all women who have sex with women and breast screening among WSWM and women who have never had sex.

Sexual Practices and Misconceptions Regarding Condom Usage and Status of Voluntary HIV Testing among Truck Drivers Employed in Transport Sector of Haryana- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Truck drivers serve as a bridge population between high risk group and general population. Their nature of job demands travelling for days which compromises their lifestyle and health needs. Aim: To describe the sexual practices and misconceptions regarding condom usage and the status of voluntary Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing among truck drivers and helpers. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted during a health screening camp, conducted by team from a tertiary care centre of district Faridabad among truck drivers employed in a transport company. All the participants were interviewed by a trained counsellor using a structured, closed ended questionnaire. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 21. Fischer’s-exact and Chi-square tests were applied to test differences in proportions. Student t-test was applied to test the differences in mean between two groups. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 117 male truck drivers and helpers participated in the study, of which 87.2% were sexually active with condom usage rate of 41.2%. Majority of the sexually active participants (92.8%) had more than one sexual partner in the last year. Condom usage was significantly higher among those having multiple partners than single partner (p&lt;0.001). Having sex with wife (36.4%) and preferred sex without condom (21.1%) were two major reasons elicited for non-usage of condoms. Almost half (46.2%) preferred to buy condoms from chemist shop. Only 14.7% of all the sexually active participants were ever tested for HIV. Conclusion: Truck drivers with multiple sexual partners were prevalent; however, usage of condoms was high among them.

Intimate Physical Contact between People from Different Households During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study from a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-Covid)

Background: Physical distancing aims to reduce interactions between people to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Intimate physical contact outside the household (IPCOH) may expand transmission networks by connecting households. We explored whether intimacy needs impacted adherence to physical distancing following lockdown in Britain in March 2020. Methods: The Natsal-COVID web-panel survey (July-August 2020) used quota-sampling and weighting to achieve a quasi-representative population sample. We estimated IPCOH with a romantic/sexual partner in the four weeks prior to interview and identified associated factors. Qualitative interviews (n=18) were conducted to understand the context, reasons, and decision-making around IPCOH. Findings: Of 6,654 participants aged 18-59 years, 9.9% (95%CI:9.1-10.6%) reported IPCOH. IPCOH was highest in those aged 18-24 (17.7%), identifying as gay or lesbian (19.5%), and in steady non-cohabiting relationships (56.3%). IPCOH was associated with reporting risk behaviours (e.g., condomless sex, higher alcohol consumption). IPCOH was less likely among those reporting bad/very bad health (aOR 0.54;0.32-0.93) but more likely among those with COVID-19 symptoms and/or diagnosis (aOR 1.34;1.10-1.65). Two-thirds (64.4%) of IPCOH was reported as being within a support bubble. Qualitative interviews found that people reporting IPCOH deliberated over, and made efforts to mitigate, the risks. Interpretation: Given 90% of people did not report IPCOH, this contact may not be a large additional contributor to SARS-CoV-2 transmission, although heterogeneity exists within the population. Public health messages need to recognise how single people and partners living apart balance sexual intimacy and relationship needs with adherence to control measures. Funding Information: Natsal (Wellcome/ESRC/NIHR), MRC/CSO, and UCL COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. Declaration of Interests: The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Glasgow MVLS College (reference 20019174) and LSHTM research ethics committees (reference 22565). An anonymised dataset will be deposited with the UK Data Archive.

Study of Prevalence of Abnormal Cervical Cytology in Al-Shatby Maternity University Hospital

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most common cause of preventable cancer related deaths; cervical cancer has a long pervasive phase (cervical dysplasia); the prevalence of cervical dysplasia varies according to the socioeconomic characteristics and geographic areas of the population studied. Low-grade lesions regress spontaneously in a significant number of patients, while high grade lesions will progress to an invasive cancer if left untreated. Cervical cancer screening is an important component of the World Health Organization (WHO) strategy for combating cervical cancer. The incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer has reduced remarkably over the last three decades in developed countries where there are effective, well-coordinated screening programs, and treatment of cervical dysplasia, while in developing countries it has been increasing and has constituted major health problems among women where there are no well-coordinated and effective screening programs, also resources are very low and no insurance can cover this programs. Aim of the work: The aim is to assess the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in Al Shatby Maternity University Hospital patients using Pap smear. Materials and methods: Inclusion criteria: 1) Married woman from 3 years or more; 2) Women age from 21 to age 65 years. Exclusion criteria: 1) Previously known cervical cancer patient; 2) Virgin females; 3) Woman with active vaginal bleeding. Results: 83% of patients were -ve intraepithelial neoplasia {37.7% was normal cytology and 45.3% was inflammatory}. 17% was +ve intraepithelial neoplasia (abnormal cytology), {11.1% ASCUS, 2.9% LSIL, 1.3% HSIL, 1.1% ASC-H, 0.3% AGS-NO, 0.3% AGS-Favour Neoplastic}. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in age group less than30 years was 8.4% which is lower than prevalence in the middle age group which was 19.9%. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in women with normal vaginal delivery was higher than those with caesarean delivery. 39.8% of our patients were passive and active smokers 61.2% of their Pap smear was abnormal cytology. 78.9% of abnormal cytology was among patients from low socioeconomic class (rural areas). Abnormal cervical cytology in patients with high parity was 69% which is higher than abnormality found in lower parity. 60.2% of abnormal cervical cytology was in patients who became sexually active before age of 20 years. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was higher in patients with multiple sexual partners (56.5%) than patients with single sexual partner (13.3%). Conclusion: Cervical cytology remains the gold standard for cervical cancer screening and the use of Bethesda system is a simple and accurate method for diagnosis and management of cases with abnormal cervical cytology.